Historical BackgroundOffice of the HistorianBureau of Public AffairsDepartment of State

Significant Terrorist Incidents, 1961-2003: A Brief Chronology

First U.S. Aircraft Hijacked, May 1, 1961:
Puerto Rican born Antuilo Ramierez Ortiz forced at gunpoint a National
Airlines plane to fly to Havana, Cuba, where he was given asylum.

Ambassador to Guatemala Assassinated, August 28, 1968:
U.S. Ambassador to Guatemala John Gordon Mein was murdered by a rebel
faction when gunmen forced his official car off the road in Guatemala
City and raked the vehicle with gunfire.

Ambassador to Japan Attacked, July 30, 1969: U.S. Ambassador to Japan A.H. Meyer was attacked by a knife-wielding Japanese citizen.

Ambassador to Brazil Kidnapped, September 3, 1969: U.S. Ambassador to Brazil Charles Burke Elbrick was kidnapped by the Marxist revolutionary group MR-8.

Attack on the Munich Airport, February 10, 1970:
Three terrorists attacked El Al passengers in a bus at the Munich
Airport with guns and grenades. One passenger was killed and 11 were
injured. All three terrorists were captured by airport police. The
Action Organization for the Liberation of Palestine and the Popular
Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine claimed responsibility
for the attack.

U.S. Agency for International Development Adviser Kidnapped, July 31, 1970:
In Montevideo, Uruguay, the Tupamaros terrorist group kidnapped AID
Police adviser Dan Mitrione; his body was found on August 10.

"Bloody Friday," July 21, 1972:
An Irish Republican Army (IRA) bomb attacks killed eleven people and
injure 130 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Ten days later, three IRA car
bomb attacks in the village of Claudy left six dead.

Munich Olympic Massacre, September 5, 1972:
Eight Palestinian "Black September" terrorists seized eleven Israeli
athletes in the Olympic Village in Munich, West Germany. In a bungled
rescue attempt by West German authorities, nine of the hostages and
five terrorists were killed.

Ambassador to Sudan Assassinated, March 2, 1973:
U.S. Ambassador to Sudan Cleo A. Noel and other diplomats were
assassinated at the Saudi Arabian Embassy in Khartoum by members of the
Black September organization.

Consul General in Mexico Kidnapped, May 4, 1973: U.S. Consul General in Guadalajara Terrence Leonhardy was kidnapped by members of the People’s Revolutionary Armed Forces.

Attack and Hijacking at the Rome Airport, December 17, 1973:
Five terrorists pulled weapons from their luggage in the terminal
lounge at the Rome airport, killing two persons. They then attacked a
Pan American 707 bound for Beirut and Tehran, destroying it with
incendiary grenades and killing 29 persons, including 4 senior Moroccan
officials and 14 American employees of ARAMCO. They then herded 5
Italian hostages into a Lufthansa airliner and killed an Italian
customs agent as he tried to escape, after which they forced the pilot
to fly to Beirut. After Lebanese authorities refused to let the plane
land, it landed in Athens, where the terrorists demanded the release of
2 Arab terrorists. In order to make Greek authorities comply with their
demands, the terrorists killed a hostage and threw his body onto the
tarmac. The plane then flew to Damascus, where it stopped for two hours
to obtain fuel and food. It then flew to Kuwait, where the terrorists
released their hostages in return for passage to an unknown
destination. The Palestine Liberation Organization disavowed the
attack, and no group claimed responsibility for it.

Ambassador to Cyprus Assassinated, August 19, 1974:
U.S. Ambassador to Cyprus Rodger P. Davies and his Greek Cypriot
secretary were shot and killed by snipers during a demonstration
outside the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia.

Domestic Terrorism, January 27-29, 1975:
Puerto Rican nationalists bombed a Wall Street bar, killing four and
injuring 60; two days later, the Weather Underground claims
responsibility for an explosion in a bathroom at the U.S. Department of
State in Washington.

Entebbe Hostage Crisis, June 27, 1976:
Members of the Baader-Meinhof Group and the Popular Front for the
Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) seized an Air France airliner and its
258 passengers. They forced the plane to land in Uganda. On July 3
Israeli commandos successfully rescued the passengers.

Assassination of Former Chilean Diplomat, September 21, 1976: Exiled Chilean Foreign Minister Orlando Letelier was killed by a car-bomb in Washington.

Kidnapping of Italian Prime Minister, March 16, 1978: Premier Aldo Moro was seized by the Red Brigade and assassinated 55 days later.

Ambassador to Afghanistan Assassinated, February 14, 1979:
Four Afghans kidnapped U.S. Ambassador Adolph Dubs in Kabul and
demanded the release of various "religious figures." Dubs was killed,
along with four alleged terrorists, when Afghan police stormed the
hotel room where he was being held.

Iran Hostage Crisis, November 4, 1979:
After President Carter agreed to admit the Shah of Iran into the US,
Iranian radicals seized the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and took 66 American
diplomats hostage. Thirteen hostages were soon released, but the
remaining 53 were held until their release on January 20, 1981.

Grand Mosque Seizure, November 20, 1979:
200 Islamic terrorists seized the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia,
taking hundreds of pilgrims hostage. Saudi and French security forces
retook the shrine after an intense battle in which some 250 people were
killed and 600 wounded.

U.S. Installation Bombing, August 31, 1981: The Red Army exploded a bomb at the U.S. Air Force Base at Ramstein, West Germany.

Assassination of Egyptian President, October 6, 1981:
Soldiers who were secretly members of the Takfir Wal-Hajira sect
attacked and killed Egyptian President Anwar Sadat during a troop
review.

Murder of Missionaries, December 4, 1981:
Three American nuns and one lay missionary were found murdered outside
San Salvador, El Salvador. They were killed by members of the National
Guard, and the killers are currently in prison.

Colombian Hostage-taking, April 8, 1983: A U.S. citizen was seized by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and held for ransom.

Bombing of U.S. Embassy in Beirut, April 18, 1983:
Sixty-three people, including the CIA’s Middle East director, were
killed and 120 were injured in a 400-pound suicide truck-bomb attack on
the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon. The Islamic Jihad claimed
responsibility.

Naval Officer Assassinated in El Salvador, May 25, 1983: A U.S. Navy officer was assassinated by the Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front.

North Korean Hit Squad, October 9, 1983: North Korean agents blew up a delegation from South Korea in Rangoon, Burma, killing 21 persons and injuring 48.

Bombing of Marine Barracks, Beirut, October 23, 1983:
Simultaneous suicide truck-bomb attacks were made on American and
French compounds in Beirut, Lebanon. A 12,000-pound bomb destroyed the
U.S. compound, killing 242 Americans, while 58 French troops were
killed when a 400-pound device destroyed a French base. Islamic Jihad
claimed responsibility.

Naval Officer Assassinated in Greece, November 15, 1983:
A U.S. Navy officer was shot by the November 17 terrorist group in
Athens, Greece, while his car was stopped at a traffic light.

1984

Kidnapping of Embassy Official, March 16, 1984:
The Islamic Jihad kidnapped and later murdered Political Officer
William Buckley in Beirut, Lebanon. Other U.S. citizens not connected
to the U.S. government were seized over a succeeding two-year period.

Restaurant Bombing in Spain, April 12, 1984: Eighteen
U.S. servicemen were killed and 83 people were injured in a bomb attack
on a restaurant near a U.S. Air Force Base in Torrejon, Spain.

Temple Seizure, June 5, 1984:
Sikh terrorists seized the Golden Temple in Amritsar, India. One
hundred people died when Indian security forces retook the Sikh holy
shrine.

Assassination of Indian Prime Minister, October 31, 1984: Premier Indira Gandhi was shot to death by members of her security force.

1985

Kidnapping of U.S. Officials in Mexico, February 7, 1985:
Under the orders of narcotrafficker Rafael Caro Quintero, Drug
Enforcement Administration agent Enrique Camarena Salazar and his pilot
were kidnapped, tortured and executed.

TWA Hijacking, June 14, 1985: A
Trans-World Airlines flight was hijacked en route to Rome from Athens
by two Lebanese Hizballah terrorists and forced to fly to Beirut. The
eight crew members and 145 passengers were held for seventeen days,
during which one American hostage, a U.S. Navy sailor, was murdered.
After being flown twice to Algiers, the aircraft was returned to Beirut
after Israel released 435 Lebanese and Palestinian prisoners.

Attack on a Restaurant in El Salvador, June 19, 1985:
Members of the FMLN (Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front) fired
on a restaurant in the Zona Rosa district of San Salvador, killing four
Marine Security Guards assigned to the U.S. Embassy and nine
Salvadorean civilians.

Air India Bombing, June 23, 1985:
A bomb destroyed an Air India Boeing 747 over the Atlantic, killing all
329 people aboard. Both Sikh and Kashmiri terrorists were blamed for
the attack. Two cargo handlers were killed at Tokyo airport, Japan,
when another Sikh bomb exploded in an Air Canada aircraft en route to
India.

Soviet Diplomats Kidnapped, September 30, 1985: In Beirut, Lebanon, Sunni terrorists kidnapped four Soviet diplomats. One was killed but three were later released.

Achille Lauro Hijacking, October 7, 1985:
Four Palestinian Liberation Front terrorists seized the Italian cruise
liner in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, taking more than 700 hostages.
One U.S. passenger was murdered before the Egyptian government offered
the terrorists safe haven in return for the hostages’ freedom.

Egyptian Airliner Hijacking, November 23, 1985: An EgyptAir airplane bound from Athens to Malta and carrying several U.S. citizens was hijacked by the Abu Nidal Group.

Airport Attacks in Rome and Vienna, December 27, 1985:
Four gunmen belonging to the Abu Nidal Organization attacked the El Al
and Trans World Airlines ticket counters at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci
Airport with grenades and automatic rifles. Thirteen persons were
killed and 75 were wounded before Italian police and Israeli security
guards killed three of the gunmen and captured the fourth. Three more
Abu Nidal gunmen attacked the El Al ticket counter at Vienna’s
Schwechat Airport, killing three persons and wounding 30. Austrian
police killed one of the gunmen and captured the others.

1986

Aircraft Bombing in Greece, March 30, 1986: A Palestinian splinter group detonated a bomb as TWA Flight 840 approached Athens airport, killing four U.S. citizens.

Berlin Discothèque Bombing, April 5, 1986:
Two U.S. soldiers were killed and 79 American servicemen were injured
in a Libyan bomb attack on a nightclub in West Berlin, West Germany. In
retaliation U.S. military jets bombed targets in and around Tripoli and
Benghazi.

Bus Attack, April 24, 1987:
Sixteen U.S. servicemen riding in a Greek Air Force bus near Athens
were injured in an apparent bombing attack, carried out by the
revolutionary organization known as November 17.

Downing of Airliner, November 29, 1987: North Korean agents planted a bomb aboard Korean Air Lines Flight 858, which subsequently crashed into the Indian Ocean.

Servicemen’s Bar Attack, December 26, 1987: Catalan separatists bombed a Barcelona bar frequented by U.S. servicemen, resulting in the death of one U.S. citizen.

1988

Kidnapping of William Higgins, February 17, 1988:
U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel W. Higgins was kidnapped and
murdered by the Iranian-backed Hizballah group while serving with the
United Nations Truce Supervisory Organization (UNTSO) in southern
Lebanon.

Naples USO Attack, April 14, 1988: The Organization of Jihad Brigades exploded a car-bomb outside a USO Club in Naples, Italy, killing one U.S. sailor.

Attack on U.S. Diplomat in Greece, June 28, 1988: The Defense Attaché of the U.S. Embassy in Greece was killed when a car-bomb was detonated outside his home in Athens.

Pan Am 103 Bombing, December 21, 1988:
Pan American Airlines Flight 103 was blown up over Lockerbie, Scotland,
by a bomb believed to have been placed on the aircraft by Libyan
terrorists in Frankfurt, West Germany. All 259 people on board were
killed.

1989

Assassination of U.S. Army Officer, April 21, 1989:
The New People’s Army (NPA) assassinated Colonel James Rowe in Manila.
The NPA also assassinated two U.S. government defense contractors in
September.

Bombing of UTA Flight 772, September 19, 1989:
A bomb explosion destroyed UTA Flight 772 over the Sahara Desert in
southern Niger during a flight from Brazzaville to Paris. All 170
persons aboard were killed. Six Libyans were later found guilty in
absentia and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Assassination of German Bank Chairman, November 30, 1989: The Red Army Faction assassinated Deutsche Bank Chairman Alfred Herrhausen in Frankfurt.

1990

U.S. Embassy Bombed in Peru, January 15, 1990: The Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement bombed the U.S. Embassy in Lima, Peru.

U.S. Soldiers Assassinated in the Philippines, May 13, 1990: The New People’s Army (NPA) killed two U.S. Air Force personnel near Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines.

1991

Attempted Iraqi Attacks on U.S. Posts, January 18-19, 1991: Iraqi agents planted bombs at the U.S. Ambassador to Indonesia’s home residence and at the USIS library in Manila.

Sniper Attack on the U.S. Embassy in Bonn, February 13, 1991:
Three Red Army Faction members fired automatic rifles from across the
Rhine River at the U.S. Embassy Chancery. No one was hurt.

Assassination of former Indian Prime Minister, May 21, 1991:
A female member of the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) killed
herself, Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, and 16 others by detonating an
explosive vest after presenting a garland of flowers to the former
Prime Minister during an election rally in the Indian state of Tamil
Nadu.

1992

Kidnapping of U.S. Businessmen in the Philippines, January 17-21, 1992:
A senior official of the corporation Philippine Geothermal was
kidnapped in Manila by the Red Scorpion Group, and two U.S. businessmen
were seized independently by the National Liberation Army and by
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).

Bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Argentina, March 17, 1992:
Hizballah claimed responsibility for a blast that leveled the Israeli
Embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina, causing the deaths of 29 and
wounding 242.

1993

Kidnappings of U.S. Citizens in Colombia, January 31, 1993: Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) terrorists kidnapped three U.S. missionaries.

World Trade Center Bombing, February 26, 1993:
The World Trade Center in New York City was badly damaged when a car
bomb planted by Islamic terrorists exploded in an underground garage.
The bomb left 6 people dead and 1,000 injured. The men carrying out the
attack were followers of Umar Abd al-Rahman, an Egyptian cleric who
preached in the New York City area.

Attempted Assassination of President Bush by Iraqi Agents, April 14, 1993:
The Iraqi intelligence service attempted to assassinate former U.S.
President George Bush during a visit to Kuwait. In retaliation, the
U.S. launched a cruise missile attack 2 months later on the Iraqi
capital Baghdad.

1994

Hebron Massacre, February 25, 1994:
Jewish right-wing extremist and U.S. citizen Baruch Goldstein
machine-gunned Moslem worshippers at a mosque in West Bank town of
Hebron, killing 29 and wounding about 150.

Air France Hijacking, December 24, 1994:
Members of the Armed Islamic Group seized an Air France Flight to
Algeria. The four terrorists were killed during a rescue effort.

1995

Attack on U.S. Diplomats in Pakistan, March 8, 1995: Two unidentified gunmen killed two U.S. diplomats and wounded a third in Karachi, Pakistan.

Tokyo Subway Station Attack, March 20, 1995:
Twelve persons were killed and 5,700 were injured in a Sarin nerve gas
attack on a crowded subway station in the center of Tokyo, Japan. A
similar attack occurred nearly simultaneously in the Yokohama subway
system. The Aum Shinri-kyo cult was blamed for the attacks.

Bombing of the Federal Building in Oklahoma City, April 19, 1995:
Right-wing extremists Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols destroyed the
Federal Building in Oklahoma City with a massive truck bomb that killed
166 and injured hundreds more in what was up to then the largest
terrorist attack on American soil.

Kashmiri Hostage-taking, July 4, 1995:
In India six foreigners, including two U.S. citizens, were taken
hostage by Al-Faran, a Kashmiri separatist group. One non-U.S. hostage
was later found beheaded.

Jerusalem Bus Attack, August 21, 1995:
HAMAS claimed responsibility for the detonation of a bomb that killed 6
and injured over 100 persons, including several U.S. citizens.

Attack on U.S. Embassy in Moscow, September 13, 1995:
A rocket-propelled grenade was fired through the window of the U.S.
Embassy in Moscow, ostensibly in retaliation for U.S. strikes on Serb
positions in Bosnia.

Saudi Military Installation Attack, November 13, 1995:
The Islamic Movement of Change planted a bomb in a Riyadh military
compound that killed one U.S. citizen, several foreign national
employees of the U.S. government, and over 40 others.

Kidnapping in Colombia, January 19, 1996:
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrillas kidnapped a US
citizen and demanded a $1 million ransom. The hostage was released on
May 22.

Tamil Tigers Attack, January 31, 1996:
Members of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) rammed an
explosives-laden truck into the Central Bank in the heart of downtown
Colombo, Sri Lanka, killing 90 civilians and injuring more than 1,400
others, including 2 US citizens.

IRA Bombing, February 9, 1996:
An Irish Republican Army (IRA) bomb detonated in London, killing 2
persons and wounding more than 100 others, including 2 U.S. citizens.

Athens Embassy Attack, February 15, 1996:
Unidentified assailants fired a rocket at the U.S. Embassy compound in
Athens, causing minor damage to three diplomatic vehicles and some
surrounding buildings. Circumstances of the attack suggested it was an
operation carried out by the 17 November group.

ELN Kidnapping, February 16, 1996:
Six alleged National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas kidnapped a U.S.
citizen in Colombia. After 9 months, the hostage was released.

HAMAS Bus Attack, February 26, 1996:
In Jerusalem, a suicide bomber blew up a bus, killing 26 persons,
including three U.S. citizens, and injuring some 80 persons, including
three other US citizens.

Dizengoff Center Bombing, March 4, 1996:
HAMAS and the Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) both claimed responsibility
for a bombing outside of Tel Aviv's largest shopping mall that killed
20 persons and injured 75 others, including 2 U.S. citizens.

West Bank Attack, May 13, 1996:
Arab gunmen opened fire on a bus and a group of Yeshiva students near
the Bet El settlement, killing a dual U.S./Israeli citizen and wounding
three Israelis. No one claimed responsibility for the attack, but HAMAS
was suspected.

AID Worker Abduction, May 31, 1996:
A gang of former Contra guerrillas kidnapped a U.S. employee of the
Agency for International Development (AID) who was assisting with
election preparations in rural northern Nicaragua. She was released
unharmed the next day after members of the international commission
overseeing the preparations intervened.

Zekharya Attack, June 9, 1996:
Unidentified gunmen opened fire on a car near Zekharya, killing a dual
U.S./Israeli citizen and an Israeli. The Popular Front for the
Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) was suspected.

Khobar Towers Bombing, June 25, 1996:
A fuel truck carrying a bomb exploded outside the US military's Khobar
Towers housing facility in Dhahran, killing 19 U.S. military personnel
and wounding 515 persons, including 240 U.S. personnel. Several groups
claimed responsibility for the attack.

ETA Bombing, July 20, 1996:
A bomb exploded at Tarragona International Airport in Reus, Spain,
wounding 35 persons, including British and Irish tourists. The Basque
Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) organization was suspected.

Bombing of Archbishop of Oran, August 1, 1996:
A bomb exploded at the home of the French Archbishop of Oran, killing
him and his chauffeur. The attack occurred after the Archbishop's
meeting with the French Foreign Minister. The Algerian Armed Islamic
Group (GIA) is suspected.

Sudanese Rebel Kidnapping, August 17, 1996:
Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) rebels kidnapped six missionaries
in Mapourdit, including a U.S. citizen, an Italian, three Australians,
and a Sudanese. The SPLA released the hostages 11 days later.

PUK Kidnapping, September 13, 1996:
In Iraq, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) militants kidnapped four
French workers for Pharmaciens Sans Frontieres, a Canadian United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) official, and two
Iraqis.

Assassination of South Korean Consul, October 1, 1996:
In Vladivostok, Russia, assailants attacked and killed a South Korean
consul near his home. No one claimed responsibility, but South Korean
authorities believed that the attack was carried out by professionals
and that the assailants were North Koreans. North Korean officials
denied the country's involvement in the attack.

Red Cross Worker Kidnappings, November 1, 1996:
In Sudan a breakaway group from the Sudanese People's Liberation Army
(SPLA) kidnapped three International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
workers, including a U.S. citizen, an Australian, and a Kenyan. On 9
December the rebels released the hostages in exchange for ICRC supplies
and a health survey for their camp.

Paris Subway Explosion, December 3, 1996:
A bomb exploded aboard a Paris subway train as it arrived at the Port
Royal station, killing two French nationals, a Moroccan, and a
Canadian, and injuring 86 persons. Among those injured were one U.S.
citizen and a Canadian. No one claimed responsibility for the attack,
but Algerian extremists are suspected.

Abduction of US. Citizen by FARC, December 11, 1996:
Five armed men claiming to be members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces
of Colombia (FARC) kidnapped and later killed a U.S. geologist at a
methane gas exploration site in La Guajira Department.

Tupac Amaru Seizure of Diplomats, December 17, 1996:
Twenty-three members of the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA)
took several hundred people hostage at a party given at the Japanese
Ambassador's residence in Lima, Peru. Among the hostages were several
US officials, foreign ambassadors and other diplomats, Peruvian
Government officials, and Japanese businessmen. The group demanded the
release of all MRTA members in prison and safe passage for them and the
hostage takers. The terrorists released most of the hostages in
December but held 81 Peruvians and Japanese citizens for several
months.

1997

Egyptian Letter Bombs, January 2-13, 1997: A series of letter bombs with Alexandria, Egypt, postmarks were discovered at Al-Hayat
newspaper bureaus in Washington, New York City, London, and Riyadh,
Saudi Arabia. Three similar devices, also postmarked in Egypt, were
found at a prison facility in Leavenworth, Kansas. Bomb disposal
experts defused all the devices, but one detonated at the Al-Hayat office in London, injuring two security guards and causing minor damage.

Tajik Hostage Abductions, February 4-17, 1997:
Near Komsomolabad, Tajikistan, a paramilitary group led by Bakhrom
Sodirov abducted four United Nations (UN) military observers. The
victims included two Swiss, one Austrian, one Ukrainian, and their
Tajik interpreter. The kidnappers demanded safe passage for their
supporters from Afghanistan to Tajikistan. In four separate incidents
occurring between Dushanbe and Garm, Bakhrom Sodirov and his group
kidnapped two International Committee for the Red Cross members, four
Russian journalists and their Tajik driver, four UNHCR members, and the
Tajik Security Minister, Saidamir Zukhurov.

Venezuelan Abduction, February 14, 1997:
Six armed Colombian guerrillas kidnapped a US oil engineer and his
Venezuelan pilot in Apure, Venezuela. The kidnappers released the
Venezuelan pilot on 22 February. According to authorities, the FARC is
responsible for the kidnapping.

Empire State Building Sniper Attack, February 23, 1997:
A Palestinian gunman opened fire on tourists at an observation deck
atop the Empire State Building in New York City, killing a Danish
national and wounding visitors from the United States, Argentina,
Switzerland, and France before turning the gun on himself. A
handwritten note carried by the gunman claimed this was a punishment
attack against the "enemies of Palestine."

ELN Kidnapping, February 24, 1997: National Liberation Army (ELN)
guerrillas kidnapped a U.S. citizen employed by a Las Vegas gold
corporation who was scouting a gold mining operation in Colombia. The
ELN demanded a ransom of $2.5 million.

FARC Kidnapping, March 7, 1997:FARC
guerrillas kidnapped a U.S. mining employee and his Colombian colleague
who were searching for gold in Colombia. On November 16, the rebels
released the two hostages after receiving a $50,000 ransom.

Hotel Nacional Bombing, July 12, 1997:
A bomb exploded at the Hotel Nacional in Havana, injuring three persons
and causing minor damage. A previously unknown group calling itself the
Military Liberation Union claimed responsibility.

Israeli Shopping Mall Bombing, September 4, 1997:
Three suicide bombers of HAMAS detonated bombs in the Ben Yehuda
shopping mall in Jerusalem, killing eight persons, including the
bombers, and wounding nearly 200 others. A dual U.S./Israeli citizen
was among the dead, and 7 U.S. citizens were wounded.

OAS Abductions, October 23, 1997:
In Colombia ELN rebels kidnapped two foreign members of the
Organization of American States (OAS) and a Colombian human rights
official at a roadblock. The ELN claimed that the kidnapping was
intended "to show the international community that the elections in
Colombia are a farce."

Yemeni Kidnappings, October 30, 1997:
Al-Sha'if tribesmen kidnapped a U.S. businessman near Sanaa. The
tribesmen sought the release of two fellow tribesmen who were arrested
on smuggling charges and several public works projects they claim the
government promised them. They released the hostage on November 27.

Murder of U.S. Businessmen in Pakistan, November 12, 1997:
Two unidentified gunmen shot to death four U.S. auditors from Union
Texas Petroleum Corporation and their Pakistani driver after they drove
away from the Sheraton Hotel in Karachi. The Islami Inqilabi Council,
or Islamic Revolutionary Council, claimed responsibility in a call to
the U.S. Consulate in Karachi. In a letter to Pakistani newspapers, the
Aimal Khufia Action Committee also claimed responsibility.

Tourist Killings in Egypt, November 17, 1997:
Al-Gama'at al-Islamiyya (IG) gunmen shot and killed 58 tourists and
four Egyptians and wounded 26 others at the Hatshepsut Temple in the
Valley of the Kings near Luxor. Thirty-four Swiss, eight Japanese, five
Germans, four Britons, one French, one Colombian, a dual
Bulgarian/British citizen, and four unidentified persons were among the
dead. Twelve Swiss, two Japanese, two Germans, one French, and nine
Egyptians were among the wounded.

1998

UN Observer Abductions, February 19, 1998:
Armed supporters of late Georgian president Zviad Gamsakhurdia abducted
four UN military observers from Sweden, Uruguay, and the Czech
Republic.

FARC Abduction, March 21-23, 1998:
FARC rebels kidnapped a US citizen in Sabaneta, Colombia. FARC members
also killed three persons, wounded 14, and kidnapped at least 27 others
at a roadblock near Bogota. Four U.S. citizens and one Italian were
among those kidnapped, as well as the acting president of the National
Electoral Council (CNE) and his wife.

Somali Hostage-takings, April 15, 1998:
Somali militiamen abducted nine Red Cross and Red Crescent workers at
an airstrip north of Mogadishu. The hostages included a U.S. citizen, a
German, a Belgian, a French, a Norwegian, two Swiss, and one Somali.
The gunmen were members of a sub-clan loyal to Ali Mahdi Mohammed, who
controlled the northern section of the capital.

U.S. Embassy Bombings in East Africa, August 7, 1998:
A bomb exploded at the rear entrance of the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi,
Kenya, killing 12 U.S. citizens, 32 Foreign Service Nationals (FSNs),
and 247 Kenyan citizens. Approximately 5,000 Kenyans, 6 U.S. citizens,
and 13 FSNs were injured. The U.S. Embassy building sustained extensive
structural damage. Almost simultaneously, a bomb detonated outside the
U.S. Embassy in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, killing 7 FSNs and 3 Tanzanian
citizens, and injuring 1 U.S. citizen and 76 Tanzanians. The explosion
caused major structural damage to the U.S. Embassy facility. The U.S.
Government held Usama Bin Laden responsible.

IRA Bombing, Omagh, August 15, 1998:
A 500-pound car bomb planted by the Real IRA exploded outside a local
courthouse in the central shopping district of Omagh, Northern Ireland,
killing 29 persons and injuring over 330.

Colombian Pipeline Bombing, October 18, 1998:
A National Liberation Army (ELN) planted bomb exploded on the Ocensa
pipeline in Antioquia Department, killing approximately 71 persons and
injuring at least 100 others. The pipeline is jointly owned by the
Colombia State Oil Company Ecopetrol and a consortium including U.S.,
French, British, and Canadian companies.

Armed Kidnapping in Colombia, November 15, 1998:
Armed assailants followed a U.S. businessman and his family home in
Cundinamarca Department and kidnapped his 11-year-old son after
stealing money, jewelry, one automobile, and two cell phones. The
kidnappers demanded $1 million in ransom. On January 21, 1999, the
kidnappers released the boy.

1999

Angolan Aircraft Downing, January 2, 1999:
A UN plane carrying one U.S. citizen, four Angolans, two Philippine
nationals and one Namibian was shot down, according to a UN official.
No deaths or injuries were reported. Angolan authorities blamed the
attack on National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA)
rebels. UNITA officials denied shooting down the plane.

Ugandan Rebel Attack, February 14, 1999:
A pipe bomb exploded inside a bar, killing five persons and injuring 35
others. One Ethiopian and four Ugandan nationals died in the blast, and
one U.S. citizen working for USAID, two Swiss nationals, one Pakistani,
one Ethiopian, and 27 Ugandans were injured. Ugandan authorities blamed
the attack on the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF).

Greek Embassy Seizure, February 16, 1999:
Kurdish protesters stormed and occupied the Greek Embassy in Vienna,
taking the Greek Ambassador and six other persons hostage. Several
hours later the protesters released the hostages and left the Embassy.
The attack followed the Turkish Government's announcement of the
successful capture of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) leader
Abdullah Ocalan. Kurds also occupied Kenyan, Israeli, and other Greek
diplomatic facilities in France, Holland, Switzerland, Britain, and
Germany over the following days.

FARC Kidnappings, February 25, 1999:
FARC kidnapped three U.S. citizens working for the Hawaii-based Pacific
Cultural Conservancy International. On March 4, the bodies of the three
victims were found in Venezuela.

Hutu Abductions, March 1, 1999:
150 armed Hutu rebels attacked three tourist camps in Uganda, killed
four Ugandans, and abducted three U.S. citizens, six Britons, three New
Zealanders, two Danish citizens, one Australian, and one Canadian
national. Two of the U.S. citizens and six of the other hostages were
subsequently killed by their abductors.

ELN Hostage-taking, March 23, 1999: Armed guerrillas kidnapped a U.S. citizen in Boyaca, Colombia. The National Liberation Army(ELN)
claimed responsibility and demanded $400,000 ransom. On 20 July, ELN
rebels released the hostage unharmed following a ransom payment of
$48,000.

ELN Hostage-taking, May 30, 1999:
In Cali, Colombia, armed ELN militants attacked a church in the
neighborhood of Ciudad Jardin, kidnapping 160 persons, including six
U.S. citizens and one French national. The rebels released
approximately 80 persons, including three U.S. citizens, later that
day.

Shell Platform Bombing, June 27, 1999:
In Port Harcourt, Nigeria, armed youths stormed a Shell oil platform,
kidnapping one U.S. citizen, one Nigerian national, and one Australian
citizen, and causing undetermined damage. A group calling itself
"Enough is Enough in the Niger River" claimed responsibility. Further
seizures of oil facilities followed.

AFRC Kidnappings, August 4, 1999:
An Armed Forces Revolutionary Council (AFRC) faction kidnapped 33 UN
representatives near Occra Hills, Sierra Leone. The hostages included
one U.S. citizen, five British soldiers, one Canadian citizen, one
representative from Ghana, one military officer from Russia, one
officer from Kyrgystan, one officer from Zambia, one officer from
Malaysia, a local Bishop, two UN officials, two local journalists, and
16 Sierra Leonean nationals.

PLA Kidnapping, December 23, 1999: Colombian People’s Liberation Army (PLA) forces kidnapped a U.S. citizen in an unsuccessful ransoming effort.

Indian Airlines Airbus Hijacking, December 24, 1999:
Five militants hijacked a flight bound from Katmandu to New Delhi
carrying 189 people. The plane and its passengers were released
unharmed on December 31.

2000

Car bombing in Spain, January 27, 2000:
Police officials reported unidentified individuals set fire to a
Citroen car dealership in Iturreta, causing extensive damage to the
building and destroying 12 vehicles. The attack bore the hallmark of
the Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA).

RUF Attacks on U.N. Mission Personnel, May 1, 2000:
On 1 May in Makeni, Sierra Leone, Revolutionary United Front (RUF)
militants kidnapped at least 20 members of the United Nations
Assistance Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) and surrounded and opened
fire on a UNAMSIL facility, according to press reports. The militants
killed five UN soldiers in the attack. RUF militants kidnapped 300
UNAMSIL peacekeepers throughout the country, according to press
reports. On 15 May in Foya, Liberia, the kidnappers released 139
hostages. On 28 May, on the Liberia and Sierra Leone border, armed
militants released unharmed the last of the UN peacekeepers. In
Freetown, according to press reports, armed militants ambushed two
military vehicles carrying four journalists. A Spaniard and one U.S.
citizen were killed in a May 25 car bombing in Freetown for which the
RUF was probably responsible. Suspected RUF rebels also kidnapped 21
Indian UN peacekeepers in Freetown on June 6. Additional attacks by RUF
on foreign personnel followed.

Diplomatic Assassination in Greece, June 8, 2000:
In Athens, Greece, two unidentified gunmen killed British Defense
Attaché Stephen Saunders in an ambush. The Revolutionary Organization
17 November claimed responsibility.

ELN Kidnapping, June 27, 2000:
In Bogota, Colombia, ELN militants kidnapped a 5-year-old U.S. citizen
and his Colombian mother, demanding an undisclosed ransom.

Kidnappings in Kyrgyzstan, August 12, 2000: In the Kara-Su Valley, the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan took four U.S. citizens hostage. The Americans escaped on August 12.

Church Bombing in Tajikistan, October 1, 2000:
Unidentified militants detonated two bombs in a Christian church in
Dushanbe, killing seven persons and injuring 70 others. The church was
founded by a Korean-born U.S. citizen, and most of those killed and
wounded were Korean. No one claimed responsibility.

Helicopter Hijacking, October 12, 2000:
In Sucumbios Province, Ecuador, a group of armed kidnappers led by
former members of defunct Colombian terrorist organization the Popular
Liberation Army (EPL), took hostage 10 employees of Spanish energy
consortium REPSOL. Those kidnapped included five U.S. citizens, one
Argentine, one Chilean, one New Zealander, and two French pilots who
escaped four days later. On January 30, 2001, the kidnappers murdered
American hostage Ronald Sander. The remaining hostages were released on
February 23 following the payment of $13 million in ransomby the oil companies.

Manila Bombing, December 30, 2000:
A bomb exploded in a plaza across the street from the U.S. Embassy in
Manila, injuring nine persons. The Moro Islamic Liberation Front was
likely responsible.

2001

Srinagar Airport Attack and Assassination Attempt, January 17, 2001:
In India, six members of the Lashkar-e-Tayyba militant group were
killed when they attempted to seize a local airport. Members of Hizbul
Mujaheddin fired two rifle grenades at Farooq Abdullah, Chief Minister
for Jammu and Kashmir. Two persons were wounded in the unsuccessful
assassination attempt.

BBC Studios Bombing, March 4, 2001:
A car bomb exploded at midnight outside of the British Broadcasting
Corporation’s main production studios in London. One person was
injured. British authorities suspected the Real IRA had planted the
bomb.

ETA Bombing, March 9, 2001: Two policemen were killed by the explosion of a car bomb in Hernani, Spain.

Airliner Hijacking in Istanbul, March 15, 2001:
Three Chechens hijacked a Russian airliner during a flight from
Istanbul to Moscow and forced it to fly to Medina, Saudi Arabia. The
plane carried 162 passengers and a crew of 12. After a 22-hour siege
during which more than 40 passengers were released, Saudi security
forces stormed the plane, killing a hijacker, a passenger, and a flight
attendant.

Bus Stop Bombing, April 22, 2001: A member of HAMAS detonated a bomb he was carrying near a bus stop in Kfar Siva, Israel, killing one person and injuring 60.

Philippines Hostage Incident, May 27, 2001:
Muslim Abu Sayyaf guerrillas seized 13 tourists and 3 staff members at
a resort on Palawan Island and took their captives to Basilan Island.
The captives included three U.S. citizens: Guellermo Sobero and
missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham. Philippine troops fought a
series of battles with the guerrillas between June 1 and June 3 during
which 9 hostages escaped and two were found dead. The guerrillas took
additional hostages when they seized the hospital in the town of
Lamitan. On June 12, Abu Sayyaf spokesman Abu Sabaya claimed that
Sobero had been killed and beheaded; his body was found in October. The
Burnhams remained in captivity until June 2002.

Tel-Aviv Nightclub Bombing, June 1, 2001: HAMAS claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing of a popular Israeli nightclub that caused over 140 casualties.

HAMAS Restaurant Bombing, August 9, 2001: A
HAMAS-planted bomb detonated in a Jerusalem pizza restaurant, killing
15 people and wounding more than 90. The Israeli response included
occupation of Orient House, the Palestine Liberation Organization’s
political headquarters in East Jerusalem.

Suicide Bombing in Israel, September 9, 2001: The first suicide bombing carried out by an Israeli Arab killed 3 persons in Nahariya. HAMAS claimed responsibility.

Death of "the Lion of the Panjshir", September 9, 2001:
Two suicide bombers fatally wounded Ahmed Shah Massoud, a leader of
Afghanistan’s Northern Alliance, which had opposed both the Soviet
occupation and the post-Soviet Taliban government. The bombers posed as
journalists and were apparently linked to al-Qaida. The Northern
Alliance did not confirm Massoud’s death until September 15.

Terrorist Attacks on U.S. Homeland, September 11, 2001:
Two hijacked airliners crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade
Center. Soon thereafter, the Pentagon was struck by a third hijacked
plane. A fourth hijacked plane, suspected to be bound for a
high-profile target in Washington, crashed into a field in southern
Pennsylvania. The attacks killed 3,025 U.S. citizens and other
nationals. President Bush and Cabinet officials indicated that Usama
Bin Laden was the prime suspect and that they considered the United
States in a state of war with international terrorism. In the aftermath
of the attacks, the United States formed the Global Coalition Against
Terrorism.

Attack on the Jammu and Kashmir Legislature, October 1, 2001:
After a suicide car bomber forced the gate of the state legislature in
Srinagar, two gunmen entered the building and held off police for seven
hours before being killed. Forty persons died in the incident.
Jaish-e-Muhammad claimed responsibility.

Anthrax Attacks, October-November 2001:
On October 7 the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
reported that investigators had detected evidence that the deadly
anthrax bacterium was present in the building where a Florida man who
died of anthrax on October 5 had worked. Discovery of a second anthrax
case triggered a major investigation by the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI). The two anthrax cases were the first to appear in
the United States in 25 years. Anthrax subsequently appeared in mail
received by television networks in New York and by the offices in
Washington of Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle and other members of
Congress. Attorney General John Ashcroft said in a briefing on October
16, "When people send anthrax through the mail to hurt people and
invoke terror, it’s a terrorist act."

Assassination of an Israeli Cabinet Minister, October 17, 2001:
A Palestinian gunman assassinated Israeli Minister of Tourism Rehavam
Zeevi in the Jerusalem hotel where he was staying. The Popular Front
for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) claimed to have avenged the
death of PFLP Mustafa Zubari.

Attack on a Church in Pakistan, October 28, 2001:
Six masked gunmen shot up a church in Bahawalpur, Pakistan, killing 15
Pakistani Christians. No group claimed responsibility, although various
militant Muslim groups were suspected.

Suicide Bombing in Haifa, December 2, 2001:
A suicide bomb attack aboard a bus in Haifa, Israel, killed 15 persons
and wounded 40. HAMAS claimed responsibility for both this attack and
those on December 1 to avenge the death of a HAMAS member at the hands
of Israeli forces a week earlier.

Attack on the Indian Parliament, December 13, 2001:
Five gunmen attacked the Indian Parliament in New Delhi shortly after
it had adjourned. Before security forces killed them, the attackers
killed 6 security personnel and a gardener. Indian officials blamed
Lashkar-e-Tayyiba and demanded that Pakistan crack down on it and on
other Muslim separatist groups in Kashmir.

2002

Ambush on the West Bank, January 15, 2002:
Palestinian militants fired on a vehicle in Beit Sahur, killing one
passenger and wounding the other. The dead passenger claimed U.S. and
Israeli citizenship. The al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Battalion claimed
responsibility.

Shooting Incident in Israel, January 17, 2002:
A Palestinian gunman killed 6 persons and wounded 25 in Hadera, Israel,
before being killed by Israeli police. The al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades
claimed responsibility as revenge for Israel’s killing of a leading
member of the group.

Drive-By Shooting at a U.S. Consulate, January 22, 2002:
Armed militants on motorcycles fired on the U.S. Consulate in Calcutta,
India, killing 5 Indian security personnel and wounding 13 others. The
Harakat ul-Jihad-I-Islami and the Asif Raza Commandoes claimed
responsibility. Indian police later killed two suspects, one of whom
confessed to belonging to Lashkar-e-Tayyiba as he died.

Bomb Explosion in Kashmir, January 22, 2002:
A bomb exploded in a crowded retail district in Jammu, Kashmir, killing
one person and injuring nine. No group claimed responsibility.

Kidnapping of Daniel Pearl, January 23, 2002: Armed militants kidnapped Wall Street Journal
reporter Daniel Pearl in Karachi, Pakistan. Pakistani authorities
received a videotape on February 20 depicting Pearl’s murder. His grave
was found near Karachi on May 16. Pakistani authorities arrested four
suspects. Ringleader Ahmad Omar Saeed Sheikh claimed to have organized
Pearl’s kidnapping to protest Pakistan’s subservience to the United
States, and had belonged to Jaish-e-Muhammad, an Islamic separatist
group in Kashmir. All four suspects were convicted on July 15. Saeed
Sheikh was sentenced to death, the others to life imprisonment.

Suicide Bombing in Jerusalem, January 27, 2002:
A suicide bomb attack in Jerusalem killed one other person and wounded
100. The incident was the first suicide bombing made by a Palestinian
woman.

Suicide Bombing in the West Bank, February 16, 2002:
A suicide bombing in an outdoor food court in Karmei Shomron killed 4
persons and wounded 27. Two of the dead and two of the wounded were
U.S. citizens. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP)
claimed responsibility.

Suicide Bombing in the West Bank, March 7, 2002:
A suicide bombing in a supermarket in the settlement of Ariel wounded
10 persons, one of whom was a U.S. citizen. The PFLP claimed
responsibility.

Suicide Bombing in Jerusalem, March 9, 2002:
A suicide bombing in a Jerusalem restaurant killed 11 persons and
wounded 52, one of whom was a U.S. citizen. The al-Aqsa Martyrs’
Brigades claimed responsibility.

Drive-By Shooting in Colombia, March 14, 2002:
Gunmen on motorcycles shot and killed two U.S. citizens who had come to
Cali, Colombia, to negotiate the release of their father, who was a
captive of the FARC. No group claimed responsibility.

Grenade Attack on a Church in Pakistan, March 17, 2002:
Militants threw grenades into the Protestant International Church in
Islamabad, Pakistan, during a service attended by diplomatic and local
personnel. Five persons, two of them U.S. citizens, were killed and 46
were wounded. The dead Americans were State Department employee Barbara
Green and her daughter Kristen Wormsley. Thirteen U.S. citizens were
among the wounded. The Lashkar-e-Tayyiba group was suspected.

Car Bomb Explosion in Peru, March 20, 2002:
A car bomb exploded at a shopping center near the U.S. Embassy in Lima,
Peru. Nine persons were killed and 32 wounded. The dead included two
police officers and a teenager. Peruvian authorities suspected either
the Shining Path rebels or the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement. The
attack occurred 3 days before President George W. Bush visited Peru.

Suicide Bombing in Israel, March 27, 2002:
A suicide bombing in a noted restaurant in Netanya, Israel, killed 22
persons and wounded 140. One of the dead was a U.S. citizen. The
Islamic Resistance Movement (HAMAS) claimed responsibility.

Suicide Bombing in the West Bank, March 31, 2002:
A suicide bombing near an ambulance station in Efrat wounded four
persons, including a U.S. citizen. The al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades
claimed responsibility.

Armed attack on Kashmir, April 10, 2002:
Armed militants attacked a residence in Gando, Kashmir, killing five
persons and wounding four. No group claimed responsibility.

Synagogue Bombing in Tunisia, April 11, 2002:
A suicide bomber detonated a truck loaded with propane gas outside a
historic synagogue in Djerba, Tunisia. The 16 dead included 11 Germans,
one French citizen, and three Tunisians. Twenty-six German tourists
were injured. The Islamic Army for the Liberation of the Holy Sites
claimed responsibility.

Car Bombing in Pakistan, May 8, 2002:
A car bomb exploded near a Pakistani navy shuttle bus in Karachi,
killing 12 persons and wounding 19. Eleven of the dead and 11 of the
wounded were French nationals. Al-Qaida was suspected of the attack.

Parade Bombing in Russia, May 9, 2002:
A remotely-controlled bomb exploded near a May Day parade in Kaspiisk,
Dagestan, killing 42 persons and wounding 150. Fourteen of the dead and
50 of the wounded were soldiers. Islamists linked to al-Qaida were
suspected.

Attack on a Bus in India, May 14, 2002:
Militants fired on a passenger bus in Kaluchak, Jammu, killing 7
persons. They then entered a military housing complex and killed 3
soldiers and 7 military dependents before they were killed. The
al-Mansooran and Jamiat ul-Mujahedin claimed responsibility.

Bomb Attacks in Kashmir, May 17, 2002:
A bomb explosion near a civil secretariat area in Srinagar, Kashmir,
wounded 6 persons. In Jammu, a bomb exploded at a fire services
headquarters, killing two and wounding 16. No group claimed
responsibility for either attack.

Hostage Rescue Attempt in the Philippines, June 7, 2002:
Philippine Army troops attacked Abu Sayyaf terrorists on Mindanao
Island in an attempt to rescue U.S. citizen Martin Burnham and his wife
Gracia, who had been kidnapped more than a year ago. Burnham was killed
but his wife, though wounded, was freed. A Filipino hostage was killed,
as were four of the guerrillas. Seven soldiers were wounded.

Car Bombing in Pakistan, June 14, 2002:
A car bomb exploded near the U.S. Consulate and the Marriott Hotel in
Karachi, Pakistan. Eleven persons were killed and 51 were sounded,
including one U.S. and one Japanese citizen. Al Qaida and al-Qanin were
suspected.

Suicide Bombing in Jerusalem, June 19, 2002:
A suicide bombing at a bus stop in Jerusalem killed 6 persons and
wounded 43, including 2 U.S. citizens. The al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades
claimed responsibility.

Suicide Bombing in Tel Aviv, July 17, 2002:
Two suicide bombers attacked the old bus station in Tel Aviv, Israel,
killing 5 persons and wounding 38. The dead included one Romanian and
two Chinese; another Romanian was wounded. The Islamic Jihad claimed
responsibility.

Bombing at the Hebrew University, July 31, 2002:
A bomb hidden in a bag in the Frank Sinatra International Student
Center of Jerusalem’s Hebrew University killed 9 persons and wounded
87. The dead included 5 U.S. citizens and 4 Israelis. The wounded
included 4 U.S. citizens, 2 Japanese, and 3 South Koreans. The Islamic
Resistance Movement (HAMAS) claimed responsibility.

Suicide Bombing in Israel, August 4, 2002:
A suicide bomb attack on a bus in Safed, Israel, killed 9 persons and
wounded 50. Two of the dead were Philippine citizens; many of the
wounded were soldiers returning from leave. HAMAS claimed
responsibility.

Attack on a School in Pakistan, August 5, 2002:
Gunmen attacked a Christian school attended by children of missionaries
from around the world. Six persons (two security guards, a cook, a
carpenter, a receptionist, and a private citizen) were killed and a
Philippine citizen was wounded. A group called al-Intigami al-Pakistani
claimed responsibility.

Attack on Pilgrims in Kashmir, August 6, 2002:
Armed militants attacked a group of Hindu pilgrims with guns and
grenades in Pahalgam, Kashmir. Nine persons were killed and 32 were
wounded. The Lashkar-e-Tayyiba claimed responsibility.

Assassination in Kashmir, September 11, 2002:
Gunmen killed Kashmir’s Law Minister Mushtaq Ahmed Lone and six
security guards in Tikipora. Lashkar-e-Tayyiga, Jamiat ul-Mujahedin,
and Hizb ul-Mujahedin all claimed responsibility. Other militants
attacked the residence of the Minister of Tourism with grenades,
injuring four persons. No group claimed responsibility.

Ambush on the West Bank, September 18, 2002:
Gunmen ambushed a vehicle on a road near Yahad, killing an Israeli and
wounding a Romanian worker. The al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades claimed
responsibility.

Suicide Bomb Attack in Israel, September 19, 2002:
A suicide bomb attack on a bus in Tel Aviv killed 6 persons and wounded
52. One of the dead was a British subject. HAMAS claimed responsibility.

Attack on a French Tanker, October 6, 2002: An explosive-laden boat rammed the French oil tanker Limburg, which was anchored about 5 miles off al-Dhabbah, Yemen. One person was killed and 4 were wounded. Al-Qaida was suspected.

Car Bomb Explosion in Bali, October 12, 2002:
A car bomb exploded outside the Sari Club Discotheque in Denpasar,
Bali, Indonesia, killing 202 persons and wounding 300 more. Most of the
casualties, including 88 of the dead, were Australian tourists. Seven
Americans were among the dead. Al-Qaida claimed responsibility. Two
suspects were later arrested and convicted. Iman Samudra, who had
trained in Afghanistan with al-Qaeda and was suspected of belonging to
Jemaah Islamiya, was sentenced to death on September 10, 2003.

Chechen Rebels Seize a Moscow Theater, October 23-26, 2002:
Fifty Chechen rebels led by Movsar Barayev seized the Palace of Culture
Theater in Moscow, Russia, to demand an end to the war in Chechnya.
They seized more than 800 hostages from 13 countries and threatened to
blow up the theater. During a three-day siege, they killed a Russian
policeman and five Russian hostages. On October 26, Russian Special
Forces pumped an anesthetic gas through the ventilation system and then
stormed the theater. All of the rebels were killed, but 94 hostages
(including one American) also died, many from the effects of the gas. A
group led by Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev claimed responsibility.

Assassination of an AID Official, October 28, 2002:
Gunmen in Amman assassinated Laurence Foley, Executive Officer of the
U.S. Agency for International Development Mission in Jordan. The Honest
People of Jordan claimed responsibility.

Suicide Bombing in Jerusalem, November 21, 2002:
A suicide bomb attack on a bus on Mexico Street in Jerusalem killed 11
persons and wounded 50 more. One of the dead was a Romanian. HAMAS
claimed responsibility.

Attacks on Israeli Tourists in Kenya, November 28, 2002:
A three-person suicide car bomb attack on the Paradise Hotel in
Mombasa, Kenya, killed 15 persons and wounded 40. Three of the dead and
18 of the wounded were Israeli tourists; the others were Kenyans. Near
Mombasa’s airport, two SA-7 shoulder-fired missiles were fired as an
Arkia Airlines Boeing 757 that was carrying 261 passengers back to
Israel. Both missiles missed. Al-Qaida, the Government of Universal
Palestine in Exile, and the Army of Palestine claimed responsibility
for both attacks. Al-Ittihad al-Islami was also suspected of
involvement.

Attack on a Bus in the Philippines, December 26, 2002:
Armed militants ambushed a bus carrying Filipino workers employed by
the Canadian Toronto Ventures Inc. Pacific mining company in Zamboanga
del Norte. Thirteen persons were killed and 10 wounded. Philippine
authorities suspected the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), which
had been extorting money from Toronto Ventures. The Catholic charity
Caritas-Philippines said that Toronto Ventures had harassed tribesmen
who opposed mining on their ancestral lands.

Bombing of a Government Building in Chechnya, December 27, 2002:
A suicide bomb attack involving two explosives-laden trucks destroyed
the offices of the pro-Russian Chechen government in Grozny. The attack
killed over 80 people and wounded 210. According to a Chechen website
run by the Kavkaz Center, Chechen warlord Shamil Basayev claimed
responsibility.

Night Club Bombing in Colombia, February 7, 2003:
A car bomb exploded outside a night club in Bogota, Colombia, killing
32 persons and wounding 160. No group claimed responsibility, but
Colombian officials suspected the Colombian Revolutionary Armed Forces
(FARC) of committing the worst terrorist attack in the country in a
decade.

Assasination of a Kurdish Leader, February 8, 2003:
Members of Ansar al-Islam assassinated Kurdish legislator Shawkat Haji
Mushir and captured two other Kurdish officials in Qamash Tapa in
northern Iraq.

Suicide Bombing in Haifa, March 5, 2003:
A suicide bombing aboard a bus in Haifa, Israel, killed 15 persons and
wounded at least 40. One of the dead claimed U.S. as well as Israeli
citizenship. The bomber’s affiliation was not immediately known.

Suicide Bombing in Netanya, March 30, 2003:
A suicide bombing in a cafe in Netanya, Israel, wounded 38 persons.
Only the bomber was killed. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility and
called the attack a "gift" to the people of Iraq.

Unsuccessful Hostage Rescue Attempt in Colombia, May 5, 2003:
The FARC killed 10 hostages when Colombian special forces tried to
rescue them from a jungle hideout near Urrao, in Colombia’s Antioquia
State. The dead included Governor Guillermo Gavira and former Defense
Minister Gilberto Echeverri Mejia, who had been kidnapped in April 2002.

Truck Bomb Attacks in Saudi Arabia, May 12, 2003:
Suicide bombers attacked three residential compounds for foreign
workers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The 34 dead included 9 attackers, 7
other Saudis, 9 U.S. citizens, and one citizen each from the United
Kingdom, Ireland, and the Philippines. Another American died on June 1.
It was the first major attack on U.S. targets in Saudi Arabia since the
end of the war in Iraq. Saudi authorities arrested 11 al-Qaida suspects
on May 28.

Truck Bombing in Chechnya, May 12, 2003:
A truck bomb explosion demolished a government compound in Znamenskoye,
Chechnya, killing 54 persons. Russian authorities blamed followers of a
Saudi-born Islamist named Abu Walid. President Vladimir Putin said that
he suspected that there was an al-Qaida connection.

Suicide Bomb Attacks in Morocco, May 16, 2003:
A team of 12 suicide bombers attacked five targets in Casablanca,
Morocco, killing 43 persons and wounding 100. The targets were a
Spanish restaurant, a Jewish community, a Jewish cemetery, a hotel, and
the Belgian Consulate. The Moroccan Government blamed the Islamist
al-Assirat al-Moustaquim (The Righteous Path), but foreign commentators
suspected an al-Qaida connection.

Suicide Bomb Attack in Jerusalem, May 18, 2003:
A suicide bomb attack on a bus in Jerusalem’s French Hill district
killed 7 persons and wounded 20. The bomber was disguised as a
religious Jew. HAMAS claimed responsibility

Suicide Bombing in Afula, May 19, 2003:
A suicide bomb attack by a female Palestinian student killed 3 persons
and wounded 52 at a shopping mall in Afula, Israel. Both Islamic Jihad
and the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades claimed responsibility.

Suicide Bombing in Jerusalem, June 11, 2003:
A suicide bombing aboard a bus in Jerusalem killed 16 persons and
wounded at least 70, one of whom died later. HAMAS claimed
responsibility, calling it revenge for an Israeli helicopter attack on
HAMAS leader Abdelaziz al-Rantisi in Gaza City the day before.

Hotel Bombing in Indonesia, August 5, 2003:
A car bomb exploded outside the Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia,
killing 10 persons and wounding 150. One of the dead was a Dutch
citizen. The wounded included an American, a Canadian, an Australian,
and two Chinese. Indonesian authorities suspected the Jemaah Islamiah,
which had carried out the October 12, 2002 bombing in Bali.

Bombing of the Jordanian Embassy in Baghdad, August 7, 2003:
A car bomb exploded outside the Jordanian Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq,
killing 19 persons and wounding 65. Most of the victims were apparently
Iraqis, including 5 police officers. No group claimed responsibility.

Suicide Bombings in Israel and the West Bank, August 12, 2003:
The first suicide bombings since the June 29 Israeli-Palestinian truce
took place. The first, in a supermarket at Rosh Haayin, Israel, killed
one person and wounded 14. The second, at a bus stop near the Ariel
settlement in the West Bank, killed one person and wounded 3. The
al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades claimed responsibility for the first; HAMAS
claimed responsibility for the second.

Bombing of the UN Headquarters in Baghdad, August 19, 2003:
A truck loaded with surplus Iraqi ordnance exploded outside the United
Nations Headquarters in Baghdad’s Canal Hotel. A hospital across the
street was also heavily damaged. The 23 dead included UN Special
Representative Sergio Viera de Mello. More than 100 persons were
wounded. It was not clear whether the bomber was a Baath Party loyalist
or a foreign Islamic militant. An al-Qaeda branch called the Brigades
of the Martyr Abu Hafz al-Masri later claimed responsibility.

Suicide Bombing in Jerusalem, August 19, 2003:
A suicide bombing aboard a bus in Jerusalem killed 20 persons and
injured at least 100, one of whom died later. Five of the dead were
American citizens. HAMAS and Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility,
although HAMAS leader al-Rantisi said that his organization remained
committed to the truce while reserving the right to respond to Israeli
military actions.

Car Bomb Kills Shi’ite Leader in Najaf, August 29, 2003:
A car bomb explosion outside the Shrine of the Imam Ali in Najaf, Iraq
killed at least 81 persons and wounded at least 140. The dead included
the Ayatollah Mohammed Bakir al-Hakim, one of four leading Shi’ite
clerics in Iraq. Al-Hakim had been the leader of the Supreme Council
for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) since its establishment in
1982, and SCIRI had recently agreed to work with the U.S.-sponsored
Iraqi Governing Council. It was not known whether the perpetrators were
Baath Party loyalists, rival Shi’ites, or foreign Islamists.

Suicide Bombings in Israel, September 9, 2003:
Two suicide bombings took place in Israel. The first, at a bus stop
near the Tsrifin army base southeast of Tel Aviv, killed 7 soldiers and
wounded 14 soldiers and a civilian. The second, at a café in
Jerusalem’s German Colony neighborhood, killed 6 persons and wounded
40. HAMAS did not claim responsibility until the next day, although a
spokesman called the first attack" a response to Israeli aggression."

Assassination of an Iraqi Governing Council Member, September 20, 2003:
Gunmen shot and seriously wounded Akila Hashimi, one of three female
members of the Iraqi Governing Council, near her home in Baghdad. She
died September 25.

A Second Attack on the UN Headquarters in Baghdad, September 22, 2003: A suicide car bomb attack on the UN Headquarters in Baghdad killed a security guard and wounded 19 other persons.

Suicide Bombing in Israel, October 4, 2003:
A Palestinian woman made a suicide bomb attack on a restaurant in
Haifa, killing 19 persons and wounding at least 55. Islamic Jihad
claimed responsibility for the attack. The next day, Israel bombed a
terrorist training camp in Syria.

Attacks in Iraq, October 9, 2003:
Gunmen assassinated a Spanish military attaché in Baghdad. A suicide
car bomb attack on an Iraqi police station killed 8 persons and wounded
40.

Car Bombings in Baghdad, October 12, 2003:
Two suicide car bombs exploded outside the Baghdad Hotel, which housed
U.S. officials. Six persons were killed and 32 wounded. Iraqi and U.S.
security personnel apparently kept the cars from actually reaching the
hotel.

Bomb Attack on U.S. Diplomats in the Gaza Strip, October 15, 2003:
A remote-controlled bomb exploded under a car in a U.S. diplomatic
convoy passing through the northern Gaza Strip. Three security guards,
all employees of DynCorp, were killed. A fourth was wounded. The
diplomats were on their way to interview Palestinian candidates for
Fulbright scholarships to study in the United States. Palestinian
President Arafat and Prime Minister Qurei condemned the attack, while
the major Palestinian militant groups denied responsibility. The next
day, Palestinian security forces arrested several suspects, some of
whom belonged to the Popular Resistance Committees.

Rocket Attack on the al-Rashid Hotel in Baghdad, October 26, 2003:
Iraqis using an improvised rocket launcher bombarded the al-Rashid
Hotel in Baghdad, killing one U.S. Army officer and wounding 17
persons. The wounded included 4 U.S. military personnel and seven
American civilians. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul D. Wolfowitz, who
was staying at the hotel, was not injured. After visiting the wounded,
he said, "They’re not going to scare us away; we’re not giving up on
this job."

Assassination of a Deputy Mayor in Baghdad, October 26, 2003:
Two gunmen believed to be Baath Party loyalists assassinated Faris
Abdul Razaq al-Assam, one of three deputy mayors of Baghdad. U.S.
officials did not announce al-Assam’s death until October 28.

Wave of Car Bombings in Baghdad, October 27, 2003:
A series of suicide car bombings in Baghdad killed at least 35 persons
and wounded at least 230. Four attacks were directed at Iraqi police
stations, the fifth and most destructive was directed at the
International Committee of the Red Cross headquarters, where at least
12 persons were killed. A sixth attack failed when a car bomb failed to
explode and the bomber was wounded and captured by Iraqi police. U.S.
and Iraqi officials suspected that foreign terrorists were involved;
the unsuccessful bomber said he was a Syrian national and carried a
Syrian passport. After a meeting with Administrator L. Paul Bremer,
President Bush said, "The more successful we are on the ground, the
more these killers will react."

Suicide Bombing in Riyadh, November 8, 2003:
In Riyadh, a suicide car bombing took place in the Muhaya residential
compound, which was occupied mainly by nationals of other Arab
countries. Seventeen persons were killed and 122 were wounded. The
latter included 4 Americans. The next day, Deputy Secretary of State
Armitage said al-Qaeda was probably responsible.

Truck Bombing in Nasiriyah, November 12, 2003:
A suicide truck bomb destroyed the headquarters of the Italian military
police in Nasiriyah, Iraq, killing 18 Italians and 11 Iraqis and
wounding at least 100 persons.

Synagogue Bombings in Istanbul, November 15, 2003:
Two suicide truck bombs exploded outside the Neve Shalom and Beth
Israel synagogues in Istanbul, killing 25 persons and wounding at least
300 more. The initial claim of responsibility came from a Turkish
militant group, the Great Eastern Islamic Raiders’ Front, but Turkish
authorities suspected an al-Qaeda connection. The next day, the
London-based newspaper al-Quds al-Arabi received an e-mail in
which an al-Qaeda branch called the Brigades of the Martyr Abu Hafz
al-Masri claimed responsibility for the Istanbul synagogue bombings.

Grenade Attacks in Bogota, November 15, 2003:
Grenade attacks on two bars frequented by Americans in Bogota killed
one person and wounded 72, including 4 Americans. Colombian authorities
suspected FARC (the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia). The U.S.
Embassy suspected that the attacks had targeted Americans and warned
against visiting commercial centers and places of entertainment.

More Suicide Truck Bombings in Istanbul, November 20, 2003:
Two more suicide truck bombings devastated the British HSBC Bank and
the British Consulate General in Istanbul, killing 27 persons and
wounding at least 450. The dead included Consul General Roger Short.
U.S., British, and Turkish officials suspected that al-Qaeda had struck
again. The U.S. Consulate in Istanbul was closed, and the Embassy in
Ankara advised American citizens in Istanbul to stay home.

Car Bombing in Kirkuk, November 20, 2003:
A suicide car bombing in Kirkuk killed 5 persons. The target appeared
to be the headquarters of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. PUK
officials suspected the Ansar al-Islam group, which was said to have
sheltered fugitive Taliban and al-Qaeda members after the U.S. campaign
in Afghanistan.

Attacks on Other Coalition Personnel in Iraq, November 29-30, 2003:
Iraqi insurgents stepped up attacks on nationals of other members of
the Coalition. On November 29, an ambush in Mahmudiyah killed 7 out of
a party of 8 Spanish intelligence officers. Iraqi insurgents also
killed two Japanese diplomats near Tikrit. On November 30, another
ambush near Tikrit killed two South Korean electrical workers and
wounded two more. A Colombian employee of Kellogg Brown & Root was
killed and two were wounded in an ambush near Balad.

Suicide Bombing in Moscow, December 9, 2003:
A female suicide bomber killed 5 other persons and wounded 14 outside
Moscow’s National Hotel. She was said to be looking for the State Duma.

Suicide Car Bombings in Iraq, December 15, 2003:
Two days after the capture of Saddam Hussein, there were two suicide
car bomb attacks on Iraqi police stations. One at Husainiyah killed 8
persons and wounded 20. The other, at Ameriyah, wounded 7 Iraqi police.
Guards repelled a second vehicle.

Office Bombing in Baghdad, December 19, 2003:
A bomb destroyed the Baghdad office of the Supreme Council of the
Islamic Revolution in Iraq, killing a woman and wounding at least 7
other persons.

Attempted Assassination in Rawalpindi, December 25, 2003:
Two suicide truck bombers killed 14 persons as President Musharraf’s
motorcade passed through Rawalpindi, Pakistan. An earlier attempt on
December 14 caused no casualties. Pakistani officials suspected Afghan
and Kashmiri militants. On January 6, 2004, Pakistani authorities
announced the arrest of 6 suspects who were said to be members of
Jaish-e-Muhammad.

Suicide Bombing in Israel, December 25, 2003:
A Palestinian suicide bomber killed 4 persons at a bus stop near Petah
Tikva, Israel. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine
claimed responsibility for the attack in retaliation for Israeli
military operations in Nablus that had begun two days earlier.

This document, based entirely on public sources, was preparedfor background information and reference purposes. It is notintended to be a complete or comprehensive account of allterrorist incidents during these years, and it is not an official expression of U.S. policy. Please email questions or commentsto [email protected]